Scientists produce smart windows that generate their own electricity
The use of glass is increasing around the world and scientists are trying to find new ways to enhance its properties.
Key takeaways
- The teams new technology uses a polymer matrix imbued with microdroplets of liquid crystals and an amorphous silicon layer like those in solar cells.
- See how it works When turned off, the liquid crystals disperse light, making the window opaque as the silicon absorbs solar energy, which it will later use for powering itself up, or charging other devices connected to it.
- The new solar smart windows also require very little energy for self-powering, as little as 13 nanometers of amorphous silicon.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'Scientists produce smart windows that generate their own electricity', 311 Institute, 1 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/scientists-produce-smart-solar-windows-that-generate-their-own-electricity/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Recently we saw new research that lets windows turn into mirrors at the flick of a switch, and now researchers from the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics at the University of Maryland have designed smart windows that can generate solar energy as well as adjust their opacity to either allow or block light at the flick of a switch. But the solar smart window not only uses the solar power to power itself up but can also store energy for powering other devices – a trick that might not be lost on Lamborghini who recently announced they’re looking for materials that can help them make a battery-less hypercar in 2030.
The teams new technology uses a polymer matrix imbued with microdroplets of liquid crystals and an amorphous silicon layer like those in solar cells. These are then sandwiched in between glass panes.
When turned off, the liquid crystals disperse light, making the window opaque as the silicon absorbs solar energy, which it will later use for powering itself up, or charging other devices connected to it. These liquid crystals adjust when turned on, allowing light to pass through.
The ingenious thing is that even when turned on, the window remains opaque when viewed from certain angles. This means that some light is still absorbed and the window is partially charging while simultaneously allowing light in, maximizing the window’s energy absorption and efficiency.
The ability to switch the windows on and off ensures that users maintain control over the windows not just for temperature management but also for privacy purposes, as opposed to existing solar-powered smart windows which automatically decide when to block out light, and when to allow visibility. This eliminates the need to employ the use of curtains or blinds.
Apart from this, adaptation of its energy efficiency mechanism could revolutionize many optoelectronic devices.
“The ability to electrically control transparency and scattering of light is important for many optoelectronic devices; however, such versatility usually comes with additional unwanted optical absorption and power loss,” said the researchers.
The new solar smart windows also require very little energy for self-powering, as little as 13 nanometers of amorphous silicon. The NASA funded study has been published in ACS Photonics.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The use of glass is increasing around the world and scientists are trying to find new ways to enhance its properties.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
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Sources and further reading
- University of Maryland umd.edu
- Acsphotonics.6b00518 pubs.acs.org
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 1 September 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). Scientists produce smart windows that generate their own electricity. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/scientists-produce-smart-solar-windows-that-generate-their-own-electricity/
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